Ladder for freight-cars.



J. A. RYAN.

- LADDER FOR FREIGHT CARS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6.1908.

Patented 00131221908.

fizuaziar (E/zzzCflZ Zya 7L JOHN A. RYAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

LADDER JjQR FREIGHT-CABS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. a7, 1908.

Application filed June 6, 1908. Serial No. 437,124.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. RYAN, a citi-.

zen of the United States, residing at Washingtoncity, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ladders for Freight-Cars, of which the following is a specification.

' This invention relates to ladders particularly adapted for freight cars and the object thereof is to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a ladder having all the arts thereof formed of metallic material an further-so constructed that when fixed to the car it will be spaced therefrom so that an adeuate foothold can be had upon the rungs of t e ladder when ascending or descending it.

Further objects of the invention are to providein a manner as hereinafter set forth a metallic ladder which shall be simple in its construction, strong, durable, conveniently secured in osition readil set u and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel con,-- struction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifieally described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown the referred embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the sco e of the claims hereunto ap ended. In the drawings: Figure l is a longltudinal sectional view of the end portion of a frei ht car broken away, showing the ada tatlon therewith of a ladder in accordance wlth this invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing the end of a car broken away and illustrating the adaptation therewith of a ladder in accordance with this invention. Fig. 3 is a erspective View looking toward the inner ace of a ladder in accordance with this invention. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of a ladder and Fi 5 is a detail showing a J-bolt.

Tieferrin to the drawings in detail, the reference 0 aracter 1 denotes the end-sill of a car, 2 a cross-timber at the top of the car, 3 and 4 fascia boards or plates for the endsill 1 and the cross-timber 2. A ladder in accordance with this invention is ada ted to be fixedly secured in the manner as ereinafter setforth to the end-sill 1 and the crosstimber 2. i

A ladder in accordance with this invention and as clearlyshown in Fig. 3, comprises .a

pair of angle bars 5, 6, which constitute the side bars or rails of the ladder and are so disposed with respeetto each other that the laterally extending-portion 7 of each of the angle bars are posltioned outwardly so as to have their outer faces constitute bearing surfaces for the rungs 8. The lateral portions 7 of the an le bars extend toward each other, Each of tie angle bars at its top and at its bottom is bent upon itself as at 9 whereby each endof the angle bar is enlarged.- The bent portions 9 constitute means for spacing the ladder from the end of the car as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. the angle bars is rounded as at 10 and the laterally extending part of each bent portion is formed with an o enin 11 through which is ada ted to exten a ho dfast device whereby the adder can be fixedly secured in position.

As shown, the holdfast device comprisesa J-bolt 12 and a nut 13. The J-bolts 12 are adapted to extend through the end-sill 2, fascla board or plate 4 and an opening 11 at one end of an angle bar and through the cross timber and fascia board or plate 3 and .o ening 11 at the other end of an angle bar.

T 1e nuts 13 are mounted upon the J-bolts and abut against the laterally extending part of the bent portions 9.

The rungs 8 are at each end enlarged as at 12 and each of the enlarged ends is formed with an opening whereby a rivet 13' can extend therethrough and also through the laterall extending portions 7 of the angle bars. By such an arrangement the rungs are fixedly secured to the angle bars, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. By providing each of the ends of an angle bar with the bent portions, these latter abutting against and secured to the end of the car, the ladder is held away from the end of the car, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, so that there will be no inconvenience in obtaining a foot-hold upon the'rungs when ascending or descending the car. The length of the ladder with respect to the end of the car is such as to terminate at a oint removed from the bottom of the end-si 1 and top of the cross-timber 2.

It is thought that the many advanta es of a ladder constructed in accordance wit the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, can be readily understood, but itwill be stated, how ever, that constructing a ladder in such a manner makes it unusually durable as Well as rigid and furthermore, one thatcan be very conveniently secured in position to the end each having each end thereof bent upon itself to constitute a spacin junction between the remaining (part of the rail being rounded, each of sai bent portions provided with an opening to receive a holdfast device for fixedly securing the ladder in position, said angle bars constituting the side rails of the ladder, and rungs fixedly secured upon the outer face of the laterally extending portions of the angle bars.

' 2. A ladder comprising a pair of angle bars each having each end thereof bent upon itself means, the point of to constitute a spacing means, the point of junction between the bent portion and the remaining part of the rail being rounded, each of said bent portions provided with an opening to receive a holdfast device for fixedly securing the ladder in position, said angle bars constituting the side railsof the ent portion and the.

ladder, a plurality of rungs ositioned against the outer face of the latera y extending portions of the angle bars, each of said rungs having each end enlarged and formed with an o ening, and means extending througlh sai openings and enga ing with the latera y extending portions of the angle bars for fixedly securing the rungs in osition.

3. A ladder com ris' a pair 0 constituting the si era' s and each 0 which is bent upon itself at each end to constitute a spacing means for the ladder, each of said bent portions having the lateral part thereof provided with an opening through which is adapted to extend a holdfast device for fixedly securindg the ladder to' the support, and rungs fixe y secured to the latera y ex tending portions of the an le bars.

in testimony whereof I ave hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

\ JOHN A. RYAN. Witnesses:

NyLoms BOGAN, CHAs. S. HYER.

an 1e bars 

